The Lodge, named after the Johannesburg suburb of Oaklands, had a strong team of founders, including the Deputy and Assistant District Grand Masters (W Bro Arthur Needham and Pieter Roos) and two future chain-bearers in W Bro Leslie Hinett and Bro Derek Scorer. The last named went through the Oaklands chair in 1958/9 and within the remarkably short period of five years, attained the rank of Assistant District Grand Master. This he held for four years, and was then President of the Board of General Purposes, prior to his leaving South Africa. Another founder, W Bro Ernie Goodwin, who attained Grand rank in 1972, had the unusual distinction of being Secretary, concurrently, and for many years, of all three lodges meeting at Norwood Masonic Hall.

Oaklands Lodge, which became part owners of the Hall, attained a peak membership of around sixty but subsequently its subscribing membership declined to thirty, mainly as the result of former immigrants returning overseas, transfers to other parts of South Africa and opposition to Freemasonry from some quarters. Oaklands is paired with Harmony Lodge in Vereeniging and fairly frequent visits are exchanged.


Meeting place: Fanny Ave/Arthur Rds., Norwood